What are the NoGo routes when crossing Turkey?
 

Are there places/routes that should be avoided when crossing Turkey from Greece to Iran?
What would be the best and savest route to take?
We plan to cross Turkey in July this year, but currently we are a bit unsure on which route to take due to current developments. Would appreciate some tips from locals or other travellers.

This may sound a bit blasé ,but here we go..
We toured all over Turkey last year and in our 2 years of travelling so far it was the most hospitable, welcoming country we have visited.
We went along the Syrian border and in the Kurdish mountain areas in the East..we were invited to stay with people all the time.
We never felt threatened or worried..quite the opposite.
Great country...Great people...whatever their culture or religious background.

I agree. So long as you stay in Turkey, there are no 'no-go' areas as such.

Only you know where you will feel comfortable. Security incidents occur in the Kurdish cities in the east. If you can live with this, then go through Diyarbakir, Hasankeyf, Mardin, Midyat, Van, Hakkari, Cizre etc. I enjoyed all these places in late 2014.

If you don't want to see any of the security forces, want to be sure to get through on your intended route without any complciations, don't feel happy in areas where security is volatile, then take a more northerly route through Erzurum (or even further north; the eastern Black Sea coast is beautiful), Kars and Dogubeyazit.

Security questions asked to a wider audience are of little use in my opinion unless you've asked yourself what level of risk you are willing to take and state that.

You can easily cross Turkey to Iran without seeing any of the police operations in Kurdish areas or getting close to the Syrian border.

No go areas are very subjective and can change like the wind.

I had stones thrown at me by kids in Dogubeyazit, the atmosphere was not welcoming, unlike the rest of the country, and a hotel owner's son tried to brake into my room, and throw dinner at me when I rejected his advances.. It is a frontier town with a massive army barracks.

I find the 'no go area' label a misnomer, the more someone tells me not to go somewhere, the more I want to go..

Might be worth checking in with Mehmet and the group at the Istanbul Motorsiklet Klubu.. they may have a more turkish interpretation of the dynamic situation.

Nowadays offcourse its temporary the southeast is nogo place. Police and security forces is cleaning these places from terrorists. Surely nobady hurts you or stops you but for the best experience without any trouble chance stay away from this part. Sure in 2 years it will be perfect pleace to ride in... I can recommend you beautiful pleaces, but i do not know what kind of ride you like.

My favorite road is north cost of Turkey. I mean from istanbul-Eregli-Zonguldak-Bartın-Amasra-Cide-Sinop-Samsun-Ordu-Trabzon-Rize-Artvin. This is called green and blue route. I mean on your left side is beautiful blacksea and right side is forest. Also be careful it's twisty road. 100 km takes 2 hours maybe :)

The another option is blue, sun and beach route, with easy words this road icontains favourite tourism destination; From Keşan-20mins ferry to Çanakkale(Gallipoli)-Ayvalık-Çeşme-Alaçatı-Kuşadası (Ephesus Ancient city)-Pamukkale (Denizli city)-Bodrum-Marmaris-Datça!!!-to Antalya-Adana-Gaziantep(for the best food ever)-Malatya-Erzurum-Ağrı and İran...

Ofcourse there are many great places between these waypoints, but there are too many options. I'll draw some route options and post it here tomorrow with my computer. Not easy to type many word here with tapatalk. ;)

Many thanks for all your feedback and inputs!
I've started drafting our trip on a map and would appreciate your thoughts.
The cities you mentioned euroasiaoverland really sound interesting and would definitely be worth a visit but under current circumstances we rather not travel to close to the Syrian border.
Jumpman you recommend a detour to Datca? It really looks amazing, is it very touristic?
I currently only put places on the coast where we can kitesurf, since we're carrying all our kite equipment with us and try to find as many spots as possible.
Let me know if you have further recommendations :)
http://s17.postimg.org/7nry3yc0d/Bil...m_11_16_00.png

Datça is turistik place but you find local people mostly its grean and blue very clean. But for the surf and kite surf you must ride to Alaçatı, Çeşme. ALAÇATI is really famous place for sea sports. The wind is permanent and very good for surfers. You find also many surf schools and some shops to find and rent surf tools.

Eagean and and Mediterranean cost is crowded touristic place. You find lots of foreign people there...

So sorry for my late map advise, sure i will draw a great route map for you. Givme some time.

Just google these options check for the photos.

Pamukkale (white stones)
Kapadokya, Ürgüp Avanos ( for big baloon tour)
Çeşme, Alacatı
Kalkan for diving
Kusadası for Ephesus Ancient City
Ölüdeniz its just beautiful. Also you find paragliding schools and you try tandem.

Hope it helps for now.

It isn't possible to plan a trip in Eastern Turkey (or ANY country) a week in advance let alone 4 months in the future. Even if there were no political considerations, unseasonable weather can make some routes impassable or unwise virtually overnight. Best you can do at this stage is to research any must see tourist attractions and iconic bike routes and leave the details until you get there.

hi again,

This is my first route advise. I highly reccomend this route for you. You find beautiful landscapes, mountains, forests, rivers and lakes. This is real nature my friend. Also the reagaon is almost the same as Alps.

You can add to your route;

Bolu, Yedigöller, 7 Lakes National Park
Safranbolu Town (You must stay here too.)
Amasya (You must stay here also)
Trabzon (Sumela Monastery)
Rize for the best fish
Artvin for the nature.

Also i want to add that you will be shocked with local people's hospitable manner. :) :welcome:

https://goo.gl/maps/qb451xP8hvB2



My second route advise is Eagean and Mediterrian Cost.
You also find here surf sites.

https://goo.gl/maps/6Kza3e7Bgtj

İstanbul You must visit
You can ride directly to Çeşme 600 km more-less.
Alaçatı for your surf sport. My wife loves surfing but i can not. :)
Selçuk (Old Greek ancient Ephesus City)
Pamukkale in Denizli City White Stones. You should ride there...
Bodrum For crazy night life :)bier :Beach:
Marmaris (green and Blue) :Beach:
Datça (Just for camping and have a rest :) Kamping Alanı - Aktur (With my my wife we stayed here for 1 week and it has been our best holiday ever... :)
Fethiye Ölüdeniz The best sea in my country. Also you should try tandem paragliding here.
You should ride all the cost to Nevşehir for Peribacaları. You must stay atleast 2 days in a cave hotel or find a camping site to stay. You should try big baloon tour and watch imazing sunrise from the top... Google it ;) :funmeteryes:
Then Dogubeyazit, It's beautiful little town.

If you need further information for detailed road plan i can help you my friend. I live in Istanbul i can give my phone number to you for any emergancy.

Then Iran... :)


Hope it helps...

Here are some pictures :D

Alaçatı Surf Schools

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...5ecfac2264.jpg

Nevsehir-Ürgüp-Göreme, Peribacaları

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...d5d2a40fa9.jpg

Denizli, Pamukkale

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...0ff0ba4727.jpg

Hi Jumpman,

thank you so much for the detailed description of the places and pictures. Those are definitely places we would love to visit. Looking forward to our turkey trip! ;)

Thank for the detailed description, was really helpful. Should be there soon
If you guys are interested check out:
Twenty One Steps | Travel | Food | Culture

Please just far away from South East part (Syrian and Iraq border especially) for now...Local people and riders will guide you through...There are very good recommendations already give so I don't want to repeat them...Hope you can enjoy and have fun

Hi Jumpman,

great info. Some of the places you have mentioned are on my planned route. I'll be leaving for Turkey beginning of April :D Looking forward to the trip :thumbup1:

Do you have any suggestions where to stay in Istanbul? I was thinking of staying north of the city, maybe in Sariyer and take the local ferry into town. But up to now I haven't found any useful information on accommodation there. I suppose the main tourist areas like Sultanhamed are quite expensive....

Hi Vaufi,

Thank you.

I have just talked to my friend who is in turism sector in Turkey. Also he lives in Selçuk/İzmir where very close to Ephesus city and Alaçatı.

I will give you his contact adresses. Get in touch before getting there and let him arrange your economical accomodation.

He is able to arrange hotels in every city. Also sometimes i get in touch with him for Greek Islands hotels and tours as well.

Just inform him that you got the adresses from Halim (It's me) and inform him that you are a motocycle rider.

grandwonders@icloud.com

Name: Fahri Ilısu

Mob. Phone: +905323218929

You can ask him whatever you like about tours, guides etc...

By the way, i will send you two maps where to eat and where to ride in Turkey;

The best motocycle roads. These points added by Turkish motocycle riders. Twisty and beautiful lanscapes roads. If you are bored with stright roads you should pick some alternative roads from this map.

https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer...g.kS4Eq9D_lPYg


Where to eat; These waypoints are also added by Turkish motocycle riders too. Tested :) the best restorants in Turkey. bier

https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer...g.kBGxGeXwApbk

Hope these informations help for your tour.

If you have any question pls ask.

:)

Hey, Jumpman,

thx for the great infos. I really appreciate that!
I'll contact Fahri after I have followed up your tips on google maps.

4 weeks to go:scooter:

Trip to Eastern Europe, Turkey and iran
 

Thank you for all of your posts and information in response to Touruga. My partner and I are about to leave Seattle for six months to ride throughout Eastern Europe, Turkey and Iran. We're wondering what the best way to deal with money is in the places we will visit. Cash? ATM? bank wires? and how/where does one keep their cash?! On their bikes? on their person? We have all kinds of ideas but would love to hear what you do.

Mr Jumpman:can we get your phone number too? It would be really fun to meet you when we are in Istanbul. I'm new to HUBB so just to be sure here is my email address: dionneharoutunian@gmail.com

Always keep your cash on your person is my advice. Put it wherever you feel is most secure :innocent: Same for important docs ( passport / TIP / bike docs etc ) If you can't do with out it keep it with you.

Hi all,

So sorry for my late reply.

You can keep your money with you. But i recommend you to use Credit Card mostly and some amount of Turkish Lira.

There is no any risk about it. I just use credit card because of keeping lots of money is not practical. If you need more info, just ask.

I'll send an email and welcome you ofcourse for a coffee in Istanbul. :)

Just arrived in Sanliurfa from Nemrut Dagi. Tomorrow I'll carry on to Midyat, or rather south-east of the town to the monastry Mor Gabriel.

People around here say it's safe to go - just don't go to Diyarbakir or near Cizre and the next town east of Cizre. So I'm confident to carry on. From Mor Gabriel my route will take me to Hasankyef and further to Ahlat on the Van Lake. By then I think I'll be well out of the danger zone.

Considering money and documents: Here in Turkey I never felt unsafe at any place or time. You do need a certain amount of cash, as sometimes the petrol stations cannot process credit cards, and the hotels and pensions in small villages often only take cash.

Thx again to Jumpman for the informations and contacts for Istanbul.

Safe travels to everybody. Oh, and very important to mention: Turkey is a great country to visit: Brilliant landscapes, friendly people, lots of cultural site. IMHO no need to avoid this country. The touristic business is reduced dramatically, like at Nemrut Dagi somewhat minus 90%.
Another tip: Tkae the small winding roads. Much more interesting than the "D"-roads, which often are 4-lane highways.

Great to hear. Hope you enjoy alot. If you visit Istanbul let me welcome you.

Enjoy...

halimkocan@gmail.com

Sorry, Jumpman,

silly advice.
The only time I was cheated by ma stolen Credit Card No., was in Turkey.
on the 5th. June. 2007 the only purchase via this Credit Card was at a photographer in a 5 Star Hotel.
Exactly one year later, someone purchased Jewelry worth 25000€.
But at that exact date we also purchased Hotelrooms in L.A.
so the bank phoned us and the case was revealed.

So, any generalization won´t fit the bill.
Just take care of your stuff, there is not more robbery in Turkey, than somewhere else.
I personally am more afraid of credit card abuse than robbery. I only carry cash and never, ever pay by credit card. Get my money from the ATM and I´m fine. The risk of being robberd electronically is more obvious than than any robbery.
Avoid easing pontential thiefs, with obvious targets, such as cameras, Smartphones and any kind of bling bling on the table. Just don´t be a tartget.
And btw Turkey and also Istanbul is a great place.
I felt that the people in Istanbul are likely more stressed out and then tend to be more unfriendly as they are usually.
The people here and the country is amazing, don´t fail to visit! I enjoy very much!!!
cheers Herbert Ciraly/Turkey

Hi Herbert,

I used to live in Izmir and now i live in Istanbul. I have never lived that kind of problem with my credit card. My wife is a trade banker and she says always if something happens than just inform tha bank and the bank will repay for your loss. But never never loose your C. Card. Also keep your belongings with you always just in case like cameras, wallsts etc. But surely carefull with your bike, it can be lost easyly and polices can nkt do anything about it. The thifs are very professional. Just park it in a secured parkings and pay for it.

Sorry for your bad experince. As you said it can happen every part of the world. My Italian friend once warned me not to go to Napoli. I asked why, he said "do you want to see your bike again" but i had a great time there :)

I always check high scored hotels then i call them to reduce the price and i make a reservation without booking, restaurants, museums, i just pay by credit card. Electronic robery can happen in this country like others but you should be carefull. Do not pay by credit card for small amounts.

Anyway, hope you enjoy here.

Halim

Herbert,
this doesn't necessarily mean that the photographer was the culprit. The IT-system might have been hacked and the customer data stolen.

The problem with cash is that it easily stolen. Except if you have a special place to hide it. Just a story for everyone's fun: I did a bit of tour-guiding in South Africe and one of the guests - like you - never used his credit card, but took stacks of Euros along. Although I had warned him that S.A. has a pretty high crime rate, he scoffed it off, saying that the mugger had to take him bodily apart to get to the cash. At first I didn't understand, but then it clicked: He kept the money in his hollow leg prothesis doh:biggrin:

Our Trip to Iran
 

We cross from Turkey to Iran at Dogubayazit, no problem at all along the route...also the border very easy and fast crossing.Even when its a busy one there are a special line for cars and you skip the long cue of trucks.
Any question write me.
Pedro

Just finished my Turkey circuit. Rode as far east as Mardin, Hatay or (Antakya), Midyat and then north to the Van Lake, Aflat, Dogoubayazit. Then across to Erzurum and further north to Trabzon (Black Sea).

Unfortunately I had to miss out Diyarbakir, the old parts were declared a World Heritage Sight. But I suppose that now looks more like Syria. The warring parties have destroyed very much, I was told. Probably the curfew would have kept me out anyway.

Only travelling by daylight I felt safe all the way - in spite of the heavily fortified military camps and police stations. The roadblocks weren't interested in me ;o) and never even checked my documents. So IMO there is no direct danger, riding along the roads in the East - except for traffic hazards doh

The only negative experience was when leaving the country for Greece. The border control officers were friendly, but sent me aside to have my luggage checked. Now, this was a different story! Those guys were extremely unfriendly, ripped the luggage out of the panniers and just chucked it around. I had to hand out my bike documents, which they didn't hand back to me, but tossed them in-between my luggage, which I didn't see. So when I politely asked for the documents the one guy just barked at me: "We have no papers. You have!" and slammed the door. All I could do was to knock and tell the guys that I couldn't carry on without. Since he knew where they were he barked again "Open!" and pointed at the panniers, ripped out the luggage and - lo - there were my documents. I gave him a friendly slap on the shoulder, but he hit away my hand and told me to bugger off.

Which I did.... keepcalm

Well, there is a strong propaganda against the US recently.
From RUS I hear of hostility against US citizens.
It might as well affect Turkey and Greece, as I´m german I don´t feel that.
But when speaking english, and supposed to be american the mood changes as soon as they realize I´m german.
So this might be the problem.
Sorry for that. There´s always a big differnece between a nation and it´s politics and the people, that´s why we ride the world, don´t we. It´s our job to change opinions and let our opinions being changed!:mchappy: